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UN May - June Calendar of Events

Seasons' are changing around the world bringing fresh energy to the awareness of the BKUN teams as programs and events continue.

The month of May reminds us of freedom of the press and the importance of family, while June draws our attention to the environment and Yoga Day. Please find below more details and we encourage you to arrange programs to promote these observances.

Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law’

Thursday, May 3

The Brahma Kumaris at the UN in NY will be attending this event. If you feel inspired, you are most welcome to co-host an event in your area.

This year, the focus will be on issues of media, transparency and media literacy of the judicial system, and the accountability of state institutions towards the public. The Day will also examine contemporary challenges of ensuring press freedom online.

The year, India is the host country for Environment Day. This year's theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, urges governments, industry, communities, and individuals to come together and explore sustainable alternatives and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic which are polluting our oceans, damaging marine life, and threatening human health.

“India is excited to host the World Environment Day this year on June 5. Indian philosophy and lifestyle has long been rooted in the concept of co-existence with nature. We are committed to making Planet Earth a cleaner and greener place”, said Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India. Read more about this

We encourage you to organize an event to raise awareness to end plastic pollution.

As you are aware, this day is widely celebrated by our networks annually. Once again, we hope you co-organize events in your areas. Kindly visit the website to obtain details regarding theme and possible logo for 2018.

We look forward to receiving your news in brief.

UN International Observances Celebrated by the Brahma Kumaris

International Days

Kindly make a special note of these dates so that events can be organized to celebrate or honor them. As usual, we appreciate a brief report and photos for the facebook page and the blog.

You are welcome to browse this website for updates on themes and other information and international days you may wish to observe.

February 11 International Day for Women and Girls in Science March 8 International Women's Day March 20 International Day of Happiness April 7 World Health Day April 22 International Earth Day May 15 International Day of Families June 5 World Environment Day June 21 International Day of Yoga August 12 International Youth Day August 19 World Humanitarian Day September 21 International Day of Peace October 1 International Day of Older Persons October 2 International Day of Non-violence November 16 International Day of Tolerance November 18 World Day of Remebrance for Road Traffic Victims December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 10 Human Rights Day

January March UN Newsletter

18 April 2018

Dear National Coordinators and Center Coordinators,

Greetings of love.

The past three months have been quite engaging for the BKUN team. We invite you to read news of our participation during International Day of Happiness, the 62nd. Commission on the Status of Women, International Women's Day, World Water Day, and the 56th. Commission for Social Development!

Happiness At the Center of Work

Tuesday, March 20 This year's observance was held in the Delegates' Dining Room of the UNHQ, NY, in a round-table setting. This allowed for intimate conversation with other NGOs and ambassadors of various countries. The BKs were at table "4b" where we discussed 'Social Well-being for Happiness.'Read more

The Brahma Kumaris in Quito, Equador, also organized an event to celebrate this day. Read more

Empowering Rural Women and Girls

Parallel and Community Events

The BK delegation organized two parallel events and two community events during the first week of the Commission. One community event, held on Tuesday, March 13, brought together the local Brahma Kumaris community to send good wishes to all the wonderful CSW paticipants, the United Nations; and to the important work of empowering women all over the world. It was an enriching and enlightening experience for the BK team working together, enjoying each other's company, and meeting women from a wide range of cultures.

Thursday, March 8 It's always exciting around this time of year as the energy within the UN is abuzz with lightness, beauty, and compassion of the feminine, amidst the seriousness that surround the various women's issues. The UN HQ hosted a grand event in the General Assembly Hall to celebrate this day and the BKs was well represented.

World Water Day was observed by a few places - the UK where BK Jaymini Patel attended the event organized by the House of Lords; and Mauritius where the Brahma Kumaris, in partnership with the Academy for Integrated and Sustainable Development (AISD) hosted the event.

Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all

January 28 - February 7

Of the many interesting side events to attend, the BKs participated in a selected few, each covering various dimensions of poverty and strategies to eradicate extreme poverty. They also got the opportunity to meet Ms. World 2006, Ms. Taťána Gregor Brzobohatá.

March and April 2018 Calendar of Events

After refreshing ourselves at our beloved pilgrimage place in Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, the team looks forward to the busy months ahead.

The month of March reminds us of women's empowerment and happiness, while April draws our attention to health and Mother Earth. Please find below more details and we encourage you to arrange programs to promote these observances.

Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives

Thursday, March 8

This year, International Women’s Day comes on the heels of unprecedented global movement for women’s rights, equality and justice. All forms of violence and discrimination against women have captured headlines and public discourse, propelled by a rising determination for change.

2018 offers an opportunity to apply the spiritual trajectory - awareness into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realize their full potential.

There is also a campaign that you maybe interested in taking part in. World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report findings tell us that gender parity is over 200 years away - that there has never been a more important time to keep motivated and #PressforProgress.

We look forward to receiving news, in writing and pictures, of event/s you have organized in your communities.

62nd. Commission on the Status of Women

Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls

March 12 -23

This annual two weeks conference held at the UN Headquarters in New York, addresses current issues women face all around the world. The Brahma Kumaris has been participating for many years and this year, a delegation of 6 will be representing the Institution. A statement written by the Brahma Kumaris is published on the UN Women's website

A workshop on the topic, Awareness to Action: Nurturing Seeds of Change, will be facilitated by the BK delegation on Wednesday, March 14.

Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. Last year, the Smurfs partnered with the UN and UNICEF to help advocate the awareness and importance of leading a life of happiness.

We do hope you feel inspired to organize an event to celebrate Happiness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded on the principle that all people should be able to realize their right to the highest possible level of health. This year, WHO will maintain a high-profile focus on Universal Health Coverage via a series of events, starting on World Health Day on 7 April, with global and local conversations about ways to achieve health for all. Their slogan is “Health for All”.

As an organization that teaches the highest form of yoga and well-being, this venture is a wonderful way to share some of what we practice with our friends, contacts, and the general public. We encourage you to partner with WHO in your area, or any other organization, to host an event. Learn more.

As usual, we appreciate receiving your brief reports and photographs.

End Plastic Polution

Sunday, April 22

From poisoning and injuring marine life to imbalancing human hormones, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet.

In response, Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to primarily provide information and inspiration needed to facilitate change in human attitude and behavior towards plastics. This can pose a challenge to people as plastic is used in many ways unknowingly. Events that support this campaign can be of great service to our world. Get ideas

Kindly make a special note of these dates so that events can be organized to celebrate or honor them. As usual, we appreciate a brief report and photos for the facebook page and the blog.

You are welcome to browse this website for updates on themes and other information and international days you may wish to observe.

February 11 International Day for Women and Girls in Science March 8 International Women's Day March 20 International Day of Happiness April 7 World Health Day April 22 International Earth Day May 15 International Day of Families June 5 World Environment Day June 21 International Day of Yoga August 12 International Youth Day August 19 World Humanitarian Day September 21 International Day of Peace October 1 International Day of Older Persons October 2 International Day of Non-violence November 16 International Day of Tolerance November 18 World Day of Remebrance for Road Traffic Victims December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 10 Human Rights Day

UN Calendar of Events for January and February

The beginning of the year is usually the time for introspection which allows for inner transformation on a deeper level. This provides a good foundation for the success of service at the UN.

There are a few major UN conferences and observances in January and February which we would like you to be aware of and participate accordingly. These include the 56th Session for the Commission on Social Development, World Interfaith Harmony Week and 2018 Youth Essay Contest!

2018 Youth Essay Contest

Describe Your Spiritual Experiences Of Divine Love

Due to the overwhelming success of The Institute for Research on Unlimited Love’s first Youth Essay Contest in 2016, the Institute is pleased to announce a second essay competition for young people ages 13 to 15 and ages 16 to 19.

In the first contest, the essay submitted by BK Maria Paula Cervera was given a mark of distinction with an “Honorable Mention” which she presented at the UN.

The Institute is an inter-spiritual non-profit public charity founded in 2001 in Cleveland, Ohio, and currently based in New York, with a worldwide reach. Dr. Stephen Post, Director of the Institute, is a friend of the BKs with whom we work closely on various projects.

We appreciate it if you kindly let us know of your interest to participate and if there are any submissions.

Group of Youth Winners 2016

Maria Paula Cervera in front of the UNHQ, NY

ECOSOC Youth Forum

The role of youth in building sustainable and resilient urban and rural communities

January 30 - 31

This annual two-day forum, held at the UN Headquarters in New York, is bringing together youths from all over the world, including BK youths! Look out for details in February Newsletter.

Commission for Social Development

January 28 - February 7

The SDG1 team of the BKs will once again be attending the UN 56th Session of the Commission for Social Development under the theme: Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all. You may read more about the Commission here

Images from 2017

Love of God, Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbor

February 1 - 7

The UN General Assembly is encouraging members of all communities to support this week by spreading the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship, on a voluntary basis and according to their own religious traditions or convictions.

Each BK center is encouraged to have at least one conversation and to invite faith-based people to talk about this universal concept of love as is understood by the different faiths.

As usual, we appreciate receiving your brief reports and photographs.

UN International Observances Celebrated by the Brahma Kumaris

International Days

Kindly make a special note of these dates so that events can be organized to celebrate or honor them. As usual, we appreciate a brief report and photos for the facebook page and the blog.

You are welcome to browse this website for updates on themes and other information and international days you may wish to observe.

February 11 International Day for Women and Girls in Science March 8 International Women's Day March 20 International Day of Happiness April 7 World Health Day April 22 International Earth Day May 15 International Day of Families June 5 World Environment Day June 21 International Day of Yoga August 12 International Youth Day August 19 World Humanitarian Day September 21 International Day of Peace October 1 International Day of Older Persons October 2 International Day of Non-violence November 16 International Day of Tolerance November 18 World Day of Remebrance for Road Traffic Victims December 10 Human Rights Day